Read a short message by Dr. Alex Rowe about Rare Diseases Day:

February 28 marks Rare Disease Day, honouring the 300 million people around the world who suffer from unusual and difficult-to-treat diseases.1

The European Union defines a rare disease as one that affects fewer than 1 in 2,000 people. However, with a total of 7,000 rare diseases around the world, these conditions are fairly common.2 In fact, 149 diseases affect around 80% of the people with rare diseases, which are associated with infectious agents, environmental factors, bacteria or viruses, poisoning and various types of cancer.

Research has shown that people with rare diseases often face challenges obtaining a diagnosis and care, as well as social barriers to education and employment.3 Observing Rare Disease Day helps raise awareness of these daunting challenges; it also recognises the need to build social networks to support individuals and families affected by these conditions. Established by the European Organisation for Rare Diseases, the day builds an international community that is global and diverse - but united in purpose.4 Learn how to take advantage of this day and how to get involved in this effort.

To support globally mobile populations, UnitedHealthcare Global offers preassignment health assessments to help plan for and mitigate future health risks in addition to access to the Global Intelligence Centre (GIC). The GIC includes tools to help them prepare for business travel and assignments to understand the health and security risks and local health infrastructure of the destination.

Source:
1: https://www.rarediseasesinternational.org/new-scientific-paper-confirms-300-million-people-living-with-a-rare-disease-worldwide/ 
2: https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/about
3: https://www.rarediseasesinternational.org/act4rare/ 
4: https://www.cute-calendar.com/event/rare-disease-day/40896.html